Abstract:
A report completed as part of this project is available for download from the URL given below. Extracts of the report are presented in the metadata record.

See the report for full details.

Several species of Antarctic fish were collected from the shallow waters off Davis Station during the 2000-01 season as part of a study examining the properties of 'antifreeze' proteins contained within the ... blood of these animals. Fish were sampled at regular intervals from a range of depths and various sites near the station.

The main objectives of the study were to collect serum and selected tissues from Nototheniid (cod) and Channichthyid (ice fish) species. Over 170 fish were collected throughout the calendar year. Samples were taken as required, processed and the fish preserved for further analysis on return to Australia. In Australia the serum will be tested for special antifreeze molecules that allow these animals to live in water that is colder than the usual freezing point of their body fluids. Such molecules, once identified, may be synthesised in a laboratory, and have numerous potential practical applications, from the preservation of frozen foods, to preservation of blood plasma and organs for human transplant. Analyses of this nature will be undertaken at the University of Sydney.

Quality
During the summer season, fishing was carried out on a regular basis (several days per week) principally from inflatable rubber boats (IRBs) using rods, handlines and/or fish traps. Fishing was also undertaken from the shoreline. Fishing from the shore proved to be most successful when traps were deployed. Casting from the shore, more often than not, resulted in lines becoming snagged on rocks ... and macroalgae.

During winter, nearshore fishing sites were accessed by travel on foot or by skis. Traps were deployed through tide cracks or drilled holes. Fishing holes were drilled with a manual ice corer or a petrol powered jiffy drill. Fishtraps were used as the main means of collecting fish during winter as it was often too cold to sit outside for long periods with a rod and line.

Blood samples were obtained from the caudal vein of the fish collected. Samples were taken in the field where possible. Blood samples were then transferred from the syringe to an eppendorf tube and stored overnight in a refrigerator to stimulate the red blood cells to settle out and clot. On the following day, tubes were transferred to a centrifuge and spun at 10,000 revolutions/sec for 4 to 5 minutes. The serum was then removed, transferred to a cryovial and stored in a -84 degrees C freezer.

Muscle tissue samples were also taken. Small samples were removed from the anterior section of the tail. Tissue was excised between the lateral lines of the fish. Tissue was then transferred to a cryovial and stored in a -84 degrees C freezer. Both blood sera and muscle tissue samples were later transferred to a dewar of liquid nitrogen for transport back to Australia.

Body mass, total body length and measures of snout-vent length were also obtained as were the location and depth of the fished site.

All fish were then preserved in 10% formalin for a period of approximately 2 weeks and later transferred to 70% ethanol.

Access Constraints
A PDF copy of the report is available for download from the provided URL. The report also contains several tables of data.